Home Grown

A high school tennis sensation at Delaware’s Wilmington Friends School, Beneck had only one loss in four years at No. 1 singles. He earned three individual state titles and two team titles along the way.

And even when his high school career ended, he didn’t stop winning.

Beneck recently wrapped up his college career at the University of Delaware as the school’s all-time wins leader, surpassing Austin Longacre, who is now the Delaware associate head coach.

One of the best parts? He got to do it all in front of family.

“Staying close to home was great for me, because I got to share everything with family and the people I’ve grown up with,” he said. “I thought of playing at some other places at first, but I decided on Delaware and just went with it.”

The Beneck family was all for that decision. Troy’s parents, Steve and Diane, are University of Delaware

alumni. Steve even played quarterback for the Blue Hens in the mid-70s.

No one, including Troy, expected they’d see so many wins.

“I didn’t set the goal to get the record until the beginning of my senior year,” he said. “Once I realized it was within range, I really wanted to get it accomplished, but before that, I had no idea.”

Beneck set the team’s wins record at DuPont Country Club – the same place Longacre set his record in 2010.

“He was happy for me,” Beneck said.

Beneck, who also happens to be Delaware’s all-time winner in doubles, said he hopes to stay in Delaware and pursue a career in business.

“I may look into doing some coaching, or get involved with some USTA tournaments or men’s opens,” he said.

Throughout the summer, Middle States will feature college players throughout the Section on the blog.